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“I thought it made sense. But they certainly, absolutely, need strengthening, all over the park.

“Rangers will need, I would have thought, at least four players if they want to challenge Celtic for the title next year.

“You can win a cup, with a greatest of respect, with a bit of luck. Anyone can win a cup and that has been proven over the years.

“Celtic this year have enjoyed the fact they have been safe in the knowledge that they are going to win the league.

“After the European ties they can have the odd draw here and there and it has not done them any harm.

Goss is one loan signing who has starred (Image: SNS)

“Rangers and Aberdeen can look and say if and but – yet I’m of the opinion that it wouldn’t have mattered that much because Celtic had a wee bit more where they would have won these games if they needed to.

“For that reason, I still think longer term Rangers would need certainly three or four players of good quality.”

McCoist is adamant victory for his old team in Sunday’s Cup clash shouldn’t cloud the thinking and added: “Rangers won the game on penalties two years ago and I think any level headed supporter would have said: It is a fantastic result, let’s enjoy it, but we still have miles to go.

“That has proven to be the case. It will be the exact same at the weekend.

Rangers Legend Ally McCoist (Image: SNS Group)

“If Rangers win the game, it will be cause for celebration for the players and the staff.

“But the most important thing would be an acceptance that, just because we have beaten Celtic once, that there is a long, long way to go.

“Equally, I think if Celtic win the game, they won’t take their eye off Rangers next season. As big as the game is, there is a bigger picture.”

Murty heads to Hampden with doubts over his long-term position.

Chairman King’s statement on the managerial situation did little to bring clarity and Murty knows defeat to Celtic could be fatal in his bid to be boss.

McCoist, though, reckons the scenario is not that clear cut.

Rodgers is looking for a 10th successive derby without defeat (Image: Reuters)

He said: “The feeling seems to be that it’s a defining game and that’s not necessarily correct in my opinion.

“You have to take a step back and look at it, Celtic are the best team in the country at present.

“A lot of people would expect them to win the game regardless.

“It’s probably true that if Graeme manages to win he stands a better chance but it would be wrong, in my opinion, to judge the man over one game.

“Any fair-minded person would look at his overall performance which has been good.”

King spoke of a next appointment in Monday’s season-ticket release but McCoist does not believe that means a decision has already been taken.

He added: “I don’t think so.

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“It would be extremely difficult to keep it quiet if one had been made.

“The timing was perhaps a little bit strange but he hasn’t said Graeme isn’t getting the job and a lot of people are surmising.

“His comments are correct. The next appointment is absolutely vital but that’s not to say it won’t be Graeme.

“People are jumping to conclusions.

“I’ve heard the rumours about Frank de Boer, Derek McInnes has been mentioned again as has Alan Pardew.

“I don’t know what the board are thinking.

“Should a decision be made before the end of the season? That is only fair to everybody.

Watch the big match in style on Sunday (Image: Getty Images)

“Graeme has handled himself really well both in the dugout and away from it and it is only fair that he knows where his future lies, whether he goes back to the Under-20s or gets the job full term.

“The Rangers fans deserve to know.”

McCoist also no issue with the next appointment possibly defining the legacy of the current board.

He said: “I can certainly tell you in comparison to some other boards, been very good in terms of their support for the fans and the manager.

“But they will be determined by, effectively, how much the club progresses and how successful they are.”

Ally McCoist was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.